Protective garment for non-contact sports

ABSTRACT

A protective garment that can be worn by hematology and oncology patients innocuously as to encourage physical activity via participation in non-contact sports is disclosed. More specifically, the protective garment having portacatch and G-tube protective, monitoring, and/or medicine administrating enabling features. In accordance with some aspects, the portacath and G-tube protective features include protective areas including a padding that is sufficiently large to accommodate for some movement relative to the body. Moreover, one or more sensors may be included in the protective garment and may be configured to be in communication with a processor as to enable monitoring and transmission of data relating to condition(s) detected. An integrated/exterior signaling/actuating electronic device may be used to receive data and perform a programmed action corresponding to the condition(s) detected.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a garment that can be used to protect from and/or monitor injury to a portacath and/or a gastrostomy tube. More specifically, the protective garment can be worn to encourage non-contact sports activity by an individual undergoing medical treatment requiring one or both a portacath and/or a gastrostomy tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A portacath is an implanted venous access port for patients who need frequent or continuous administration of drugs, such as chemotherapy. A gastrostomy tube (also called a G-tube) is a tube that is typically inserted through the abdomen and used to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach. The use of portacatch and G-tubes are often used together to treat hematology and oncology patients.

Recently, studies have been performed that indicate exercise activity is an important variable for recovering and cancer surviving patients. By creating and promoting exercise activity as part of the pediatric cancer patients' treatment, for example, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase. Moreover, physical activity assists with the reintegration of children back into school and the community. For example, Viña, Carolina Chamorro, Amanda J. Wurz, and S. Nicole Culos-Reed. “Promoting Physical Activity in Pediatric Oncology. Where Do We Go from Here?” Frontiers in Oncology 3 (2013): 173. PMC. Web. 14 Feb. 2018, describes the effects and importance of physical activity in pediatric oncology. Recent efforts for new portacath protective devices are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2011/0023218 A1 and 2014/0283850 A1. The devices describes, while they may serve to protect portacatch, they would result in less than practical solutions for patients wanting to engage in non-contact sports. The device in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2011/0023218 A1 for example, is likely to be displaced during physical activity and increase the risk of injury to the patient. While the device in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014/0283850 is less likely to come out of place; the straps holding the protective portion are also likely to result in discomfort, limit natural movement of the patient, and/or injury to the patient.

While a portacatch and/or a G-tube can be elemental in the drug administration and for nutrition, respectively, these medical devices create a sense of discomfort and anxiety for a patient wanting to perform physical activity. Accordingly, new devices are desired to overcome said discomfort and protect and/or monitor the portacatch and/or G-tube of a patient in an innocuous manner as to encourage physical activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention includes a protective garment that can be used in non-contact sports to protect and/or monitor the portacath and G-tube of a patient. More specifically, the protective garment may be comfortably worn during physical activity without creating discomfort and/or harm to the user's portacath and G-tube. Non-contact sports can include, for example, ping-pong, tennis, rowing, bowling, and the such, which can allow the patient to remain engaged with the community and improve his/her recovery by performing physical activity.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a protective garment for non-contact sports is disclosed. The protective garment for non-contact sports including a collar and a body portion made of a breathable material forming a shirt-like garment adapted to be worn on the upper body of a patient, a first protective area having a first fastening feature used to secure a first protective padding on a front section of the body portion extending from or near the collar, and a second protective area having a first fastening feature used to secure a second protective padding on a lower front section of the body portion configured to cover a portion of the patient's abdomen. The size of the first protective area may be large enough to cover more than half of the patient's clavicle area. The first and second protective padding can consist of a supple body such that when the garment is worn the first and second protective padding conform to the shape of the corresponding clavicle and abdomen areas.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the protective garment for non-contact sports can include a processor in communication with a sensor and an antenna, the sensor configured to measure a concentration of one or more biomarker. The at least one of the one or more biomarkers measured may be used to distinguish perspiration from other body fluids of the patient. In some embodiments, a signaling device in communication with the processor can be included and configured to being activated when one or both the biomarker concentration measured exceeds a predetermined range and a non-perspiration body fluid is detected.

In yet some additional embodiments, the sensor may be an accelerometer configured to detect and measure motion levels and transmit data relating to the detected and measured motion levels to a processor. Similarly, a signaling device in communication with the processor may be included and configured to being activated when the motion levels exceed a predetermined range. In some embodiments, the signaling device may be one or more of a piezo vibration device, a light-emitting diode, and a speaker.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the garment can be a form-fitting sport shirt. The first and second fastening features can be located to secure a corresponding first and second compartment capable of containing the first and second protective paddings respectively. In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the first protective area may range from about 3 inches to 6 inches wide by 2 inches to 8 inches height and the second protective area may range from about 4 inches to 15 inches wide by 2 inches to 7 inches height. The width of the first and second protective padding may be of about ⅛″ to ½″.

In accordance with additional aspects of the present disclosure, a processor in communication with the at least one sensor may be configured to connect to an external computing device. In some embodiments, the external computing device can include one or more of a smartphone, a smartwatch and a portable laptop computer device. In yet additional embodiments, the external computing device may alternatively or additionally be a medicine administrating device or an emergency communication device. In alternative embodiments, the processor or external device may be configured to communicate and transmit data to an electronic drug administration device, for example, as to help enable the administering of a drug upon a detected condition. The detected condition may be, for example, low movement detection or upon the sensing of a triggering condition, such as, a measured heart rate outside of a predetermined range, blood oxygen level outside of a predetermined range, a biomarker presence or having a concentration that is outside of a predetermined range, etc.

A more detailed explanation of the invention and aspects thereof is provided in the following detailed descriptions and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like reference numerals may indicate corresponding parts in various drawings. Without limiting the range of possible configurations, the foregoing and other features or aspects of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of exemplary illustrative embodiments of the in invention in which:

FIG. 1 is the front view of an exemplary protective garment in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is the front view of another exemplary protective garment in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is the front view of yet another exemplary protective garment in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is the side view of FIG. 1's exemplary protective garment; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting exemplary electronic components that may be included in some embodiments in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a protective garment that can be worn by hematology and oncology patients innocuously as to encourage physical activity via participation in non-contact sports. In accordance with some aspects, the protective garment can include portacatch and G-tube protective, monitoring, and/or medicine administrating enabling features. The protective garment can be used for patient wanting to safely engage in non-contact sports (including, for example, volleyball, cricket, tennis, badminton, squash, golf, croquet, curling, swimming, diving, running, sprinting, gymnastics, frisbee, cycling and rowing) and daily use to prevent any damage to the portacath/G-tube, or the sensitive area(s) around one or both, and/or the monitoring of the same.

In the following sections, detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention will be given. The description of both preferred and alternative embodiments though are exemplary only, and it is understood that to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications and alterations may be apparent. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the broadness of the aspects of the underlying invention as defined by the claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a front view (FIG. 1) and corresponding side view (FIG. 4) of an exemplary protective garment 100 in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure. Protective garment 100 may include a collar 101 and a body portion 105 as to enable a user to wear it during non-contact sports. In some embodiments, sleeves 110, 115 may be included. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a G-tube protective area 145 in the front lower body portion 150 of protective garment 100 can be included. The front lower body portion 150 covers the user's abdomen. In some embodiments, G-tube protective area 145 may be a pocket compartment in which a protective padding (not shown) can be inserted therein via G-tube protective area access 140. The G-tube protective area access 140 may include a fastening feature, for example, a lineal fabric strip with retention characteristics, such as Velcro™. Depending on the size of the protective garment 100 (e.g., kids/adults S, M, L, XL sizes) the size of the G-tube protective area may have a width from about 4 inches to 15 inches wide, and a height from about 2 inches to 7 inches, as to enable some movement of the protective garment 100 in relation to the G-tube and body, but without unnecessarily preventing breathability and unwanted heating. Similarly, the depth of the pocket compartment of the G-tube protective area 145 may be from about ⅛″ of an inch to ½″. The protective padding (not shown) may be, for example, an EVA foam and/or any other type of foam suitable to provide a contact protective barrier but yet remain supple so that it can shape itself according to the user's body.

In yet additional aspects, protecting a portacath in a user's clavicle area is the front upper body portion of protective garment 155, which can include a clavicle protective area 125. The clavicle protective area 125 may be a pocket compartment in which a protective padding (not shown) can be inserted therein via a portacath protective area access 120. The portacath protective area access 120 may include a fastening feature, for example, a lineal fabric strip with retention characteristics, such as Veicro™. Depending on the size of the protective garment 100 (e.g., kids/adults S, M, L, XL sizes) the size of the portacath protective area 125 may have a width from about 3 inches to 6 inches wide, and a height from about 2 inches to 8 inches, as to enable some movement of the protective garment 100 in relation to the portacath and body, but without unnecessarily preventing breathability and unwanted heating. Similarly, the depth of the pocket compartment of the portacath protective area 125 may be from about ⅛″ of an inch to ½″. The protective padding (not shown) may be, for example, an EVA foam and/or any other type of foam suitable to provide a contact protective barrier but yet remain supple so that it can shape itself according to the user's body.

In some embodiments, one or more sensor(s) 130, 135, 141 may be included on a surface of the front side 190 and/or rear side 195 of the protective garment 100. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may preferably be located near the portacath and G-tube areas. Sensors may include active/passive sensors, which may include any one of electric, biological, chemical, and radioactive sensors. For example, the sensors may be one or a combination of two or more of thermoelectric, electromechanical, electromagnetic, or electrochemical sensors. Pressure sensor, accelerometer, temperature sensor, touch sensor, humidity sensor, biomarker sensor, and/or infrared sensors or other light sensors, may be included to operate in accordance with aspects of the disclosure and as further described herein in reference to FIG. 5 below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of an exemplary protective garment 200 in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure. Protective garment 200 may include collar 201 and body portion 205 to enable a user to wear it during non-contact sports. Sleeves 110 and 115 are modified from FIG. 1 in this application of the device, for example, to enable optimal use in higher temperatures. G-tube protective area 245 may be accessed via a Velcro strip located on G-tube protective area access 240, where padding can then be applied. The G-tube protective area 245 can be located in the lower garment area 250 and may be identical to the area in FIG. 1 in both dimensions and application. Portacath protective area 225 can be opened via the portacath protective area access 220, which may also be held by a Velcro strip. This area can be shortened in length compared to FIG. 1 to allow for shorter sleeves. The portacath protective area 240 is located on the front upper body portion of protective garment 255, and the G-tube protective area is located on the front lower body portion of protective garment 250. One or more controller/vitals sensor 230, 241, for example, could be used in some applications to monitor a user's condition during physical activity.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of an exemplary protective garment 300 in accordance with at least some aspects of the disclosure. Protective garment 300 may include a collar 301 and body portion 305 to allow for use during non-contact sports. Sleeve 310 and 315 are modified from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, potentially allowing for use during lower temperatures and/or to include an electronic device 380, which may comprise one or more of a signaling device, a sensor, or a user controller interface. Portacath protective area 325, located on the front upper body portion of protective garment 355, can be opened and used via the portacath protective area access 320. Portacath protective area 325 enables for padding such as EVA foam to be added for additional protection during non-contact sports and/or incorporation of sensor electronics 330 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. G-tube protective area 345, located on the front lower body portion of protective garment 350, can be opened via G-tube protective area access 340, also allowing for additional EVA foam to be used as protection and/or sensor 345 incorporation. Electronic device 380 and the controller/sensor 330, 341 could be used in some applications as a mean of connectivity and to monitor a user's vitals throughout the course of physical activity. In embodiments in which the electronic device 380 is or includes a signaling device, the signaling device may include, for example, one or more of a speaker, a light, a vibrating device, and the such.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the block diagram of a controller 1000 that may be used to implement some embodiments of the present invention is depicted. The controller 1000 includes a processor 1010, which may include one or more processor components coupled to a communication device 1020. In some embodiments, a controller 1000 can be used to transmit energy to an Energy Source, transmit data from or to one or more sensors in communication therewith and/or transmit data from one or more databases 1050, 1060.

In some embodiments, the controller 1000 can include one or more processors 1010, coupled to a communication device 1020 configured to communicate energy via a communication channel (as to enable the sensors to be wirelessly powered). The communication device may also be used to electronically control the transfer of digital data to and from one or more sensors 1015 and/or control of an integrated signaling device (not shown) and/or other external computing component (e.g. smart device, electronic drug administering device, or the such). Accordingly, the communication device 1020 may also be used to communicate, for example, with one or more controller apparatus or smart wearable device.

The processor 1010 is also in communication with a storage device 1030. The storage device 1030 may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.

The storage device 1030 can store a program 1040 for controlling the processor 1010. The processor 1010 performs instructions of the program 1040, and thereby can be configured to operate in accordance with aspects the present invention. The storage device 1030 can also store data, such as, accelerometer data, geographic data, sensor data, and related data in one or more databases 1050, 1060. The database(s) 1050, 1060 may include, for example, customized signaling devices preferences and/or patters, and specific communication control sequences for controlling energy and/or data transmission to and from an energy source, sensor(s), and signaling device.

In accordance with some embodiments, the database may include patient's information along with emergency contact information. The information which may be accessed to signal a condition in accordance with patient data. The condition may be associated, for example, with impact to the portacath and/or G-tube areas, patient hydration levels, heartrate/pulse, medicine administration reminders, temperature above/below the recommended for patient, biomarker analysis (e.g. sweat sampling), sugar levels, and the such. The program 1040 along with the processor 1010 and sensor(s) 1015 can be programmed to process patients data and communicate via communication device 1020, for example, smartphone, with parent, other patients for community healing/encouragement, physician, and/or for the user to track its activity and progress through physical activity.

CONCLUSION

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, there should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features/aspects specific to particular apparatus embodiments of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A protective garment for non-contact sports comprising: a collar and a body portion made of a breathable material forming a shirt-like garment adapted to be worn on the upper body of a patient; a first protective area having a first fastening feature used to secure a first protective padding on a front section of the body portion extending from or near the collar, wherein the size of the first protective area large enough to cover more than half of the patient's clavicle area; and a second protective area having a first fastening feature used to secure a second protective padding on a lower front section of the body portion configured to cover a portion of the patient's abdomen; wherein, the first and second protective padding consist of a supple body such that when the garment is worn the first and second protective padding conform to the shape of the corresponding clavicle and abdomen areas.
 2. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 1, additionally comprising: a processor in communication with a sensor and an antenna, the sensor configured to measure a concentration of one or more biomarker.
 3. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more biomarkers measured are used distinguish perspiration from other body fluids of the patient.
 4. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 3, additionally comprising: a signaling device in communication with the processor configured to being activated when one or both the biomarker concentration measured exceeds a predetermined range and a non-perspiration body fluid is detected.
 5. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 1, additionally comprising: a processor in communication with a sensor and an antenna, the sensor being an accelerometer configured to detect and measure motion levels and transmit data relating to the detected and measured motion levels to a processor.
 6. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 5, additionally comprising: a signaling device in communication with the processor configured to being activated when the motion levels exceed a predetermined range.
 7. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 4 or 6, wherein the signaling device is one or more of a piezo vibration device, a light-emitting diode, and a speaker.
 8. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 1, wherein the garment is a form-fitting sport shirt and the first and second fastening features are located to secure a corresponding first and second compartment capable of containing the first and second protective paddings respectively.
 9. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 8, wherein the second protective area ranges from about 4 inches to 15 inches wide by 2 inches to 7 inches height.
 10. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 9, wherein the first protective area ranges from about 3 inches to 6 inches wide by 2 inches to 8 inches height.
 11. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 10, wherein the first and second protective padding has a width of about ⅛″ to ½″.
 12. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 11, wherein one or more of the first and second protective padding and the first and second compartments include a lineal fabric strip with tiny hoods that are able to mate with another fabric strip with smaller loops as to attach temporarily until pulled apart.
 13. A protective garment for non-contact sports comprising: a collar and a body portion made of a breathable material forming a shirt-like garment adapted to be worn on the upper body of a patient; a first protective compartment ranging from about 3 inches to 6 inches wide and 2 inches to 8 inches height used to secure a first protective padding on a front section of the body portion extending from or near the collar; a second protective compartment ranging from about 4 inches to 15 inches wide and 2 inches to 7 inches height used to secure a second protective padding on a lower front section of the body portion configured to cover a portion of the patient's abdomen, wherein the first and second protective padding consist of a supple body such that when the garment is worn the first and second protective padding conform to the shape of the corresponding clavicle and abdomen areas of a user; and at least one sensor located on a surface of the protective garment in communication with a processor.
 14. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 13, additionally comprising: a signaling device also in communication with the processor configured to being activated when a measurement from the at least one sensor is outside a predetermined level.
 15. A protective garment for non-contact sports comprising: a collar and a body portion made of a breathable material forming a shirt-like garment adapted to be worn on the upper body of a patient; a first protective area used to secure a first protective padding on a front section of the body portion extending from or near the collar; a second protective area used to secure a second protective padding on a lower front section of the body portion configured to cover a portion of the patient's abdomen, wherein the first and second protective padding consist of a supple body such that when the garment is worn the first and second protective padding conform to the shape of the corresponding clavicle and abdomen areas of a user; at least one sensor located on a surface of the protective garment in communication with a processor; and a signaling device also in communication with the processor configured to being activated when a measurement from the at least one sensor is outside a predetermined level.
 16. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to connect to an external computing device.
 17. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 16, wherein the external computing device can include one or more of a smartphone, a smartwatch and a portable laptop computer device.
 18. The protective garment for non-contact sports of claim 16, wherein the external computing device is a medicine administrating device. 